Final week to have your say on proposed changes to Council Tax charges and reductions

Friday 13th October is the last chance for people to have their say on proposals that would mean change to some rules affecting properties that are empty or unused, and for some people who receive Council Tax reduction.

Empty and unused homes

The Government is bringing in new rules that would enable Sefton Council to make an extra Council Tax charge for properties that no one has lived in for one year, and for properties that are furnished but only lived in sometimes.

Under the rules, councils would be able to make a 100% premium Council Tax charge on top of the normal charge for Council Tax on properties that have been left empty for a year.

Councils would also be able to add a 100% premium charge for Council Tax for properties that are only lived in sometimes.

Rule changes for empty properties would be introduced from April 2024 and those for properties that are only lived in sometimes will happen a year later, in April 2025.

Empty and unfurnished for a year or more

There are almost 1,400 homes in Sefton that have been empty and unfurnished for a year or more and over 500 that are furnished but are not lived in.

These figures do not include properties exempt from paying Council Tax, for reasons such as the owner is being cared for somewhere else or is providing care elsewhere or they are in the armed forces.

Sefton Council always tries to work with owners to bring properties back into use. Owners of long-term empty properties can also seek advice for dealing with them from the Council’s Housing Standards Team by e-mailing private.housing@sefton.gov.uk

Council Tax Reduction

Through Sefton’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme, some people’s Council Tax bills are reduced. There are a wide range of reasons for this include being on a low income, living with ill health or having a disability or being a carer.

Older people living on a pension, people who are working but on low pay, job-seekers and people on a wide range of benefits, including Universal Credit, can also qualify for Council Tax Reduction.

The Council wants to make the process of working out Council Tax Reduction for people in Sefton of working age receiving Universal Credit and in employment simpler. This would make it easier for households to know how much they need to pay. It plans to do this by ignoring small changes in people’s circumstances that can have a minor effect on people’s Council Tax Reduction.

Small changes that could be ignored

The small changes that could be ignored are occasions where someone has worked a few extra hours in one month or has received a back-dated pay rise.  The Department of Work and Pensions informs the Council of these changes but after they have been calculated they often make very little difference.

Working out these changes, can cost the Council more to work out than the amount it saves in a cut to the person’s Council Tax reduction.

These proposed changes will only affect people of working age in receipt of Universal Credit and working.

Closes Friday 13th October

The consultation, for people in Sefton to share their views on the Government’s proposals, closes on Friday 13th October.

You can have your say online by using this link to the Council’s YourSeftonYourSay website.